Regents name Chris Heavey UNLV’s permanent president

The interim appointment becomes permanent

The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents appointed Chris Heavey as UNLV’s permanent president on October 16, according to a university announcement. The board approved a new employment agreement for him to continue leading the institution.

A longtime campus leader

Heavey has spent more than three decades at UNLV. Before becoming interim president in April 2025, he held roles including executive vice president and provost, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and vice provost for undergraduate education. He is a tenured psychology professor with graduate degrees in clinical psychology from UCLA.

The university’s stated priorities

UNLV’s announcement points to workforce programs in cybersecurity, health, mental health, sports management, and insurance and risk management, alongside research and community partnerships. It reports enrollment approaching 34,000 students and approximately 7,000 graduates annually.

The appointment follows a system policy allowing consideration of an interim president for the permanent role after at least one year of service.